Senior Advisor - Cultural Support Planning

Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 106,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary packaging

17.5% annual leave loading

Agency vehicles for work travel

Paid parental leave after 12 months

Wellbeing programs

Job summary

VACCA in Preston, Australia, is seeking a Senior Advisor to provide specialist guidance and strengthen culturally responsive practice. You will work with senior managers, child protection and partner agencies to improve outcomes for Aboriginal children and young people.

The role focuses on building practitioner capability and leading engagement with local and mainstream agencies, in line with VACCA’s values and commitments to the Aboriginal community.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated commitment to VACCA's values and purpose.
• Appreciation of Aboriginal cultures and the issues affecting Aboriginal people in Australia.
• Expert knowledge of Aboriginal cultural planning for children in out‑of‑home care.
• Understanding of child development, attachment and trauma‑informed practice within child and family welfare.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist guidance to strengthen culturally responsive practice.
• Build capability of child protection practitioners and contracted case managers.
• Lead engagement with local and mainstream agencies to increase Aboriginal children and young people’s participation.

Education

Social work or related welfare qualification

Job description

• Position : Permanent, Full Time
• Location : Preston
• Salary : $105,570 - $110,350 + SUPER + NFP Salary Packaging

The Organisation

The Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency (VACCA) is an Aboriginal Community-Controlled organisation that supports and advocates for the Aboriginal Community and is the largest organisation of its kind in Australia. The VACCA team is committed to the organisation’s visions and values, passionately providing support, service and advocacy for our children and other vulnerable members of the community.

Our strength lies with our people.

About the role

Working collaboratively with senior managers, child protection and partner agencies, the Senior Advisor provides specialist guidance to strengthen culturally responsive practice. The role also builds the capability of child protection practitioners and contracted case managers and leads engagement with local and mainstream agencies to increase Aboriginal children and young people’s participation

About You

• Demonstrated commitment and understanding for the values that underpin VACCA’ vision and purpose
• Awareness and appreciation of Aboriginal societies and cultures and an understanding of the issues affecting Aboriginal people in contemporary Australia and the diversity of circumstances of Aboriginal people.
• Expert knowledge of Aboriginal cultural planning for children in out‑of‑home care, including the history, principles and responsibilities that underpin best practice.
• Demonstrate an understanding of child development, attachment and trauma‑informed practice within child and family welfare sector.

Desirable

• A recognised social work or related welfare/behavioral science qualification with a focus on child development, family dynamics and/or trauma, and relevant practice experience.
• Extensive experience and specialist knowledge in child protection and out‑of‑home care.

Requirements

• Valid Police Check, a Victorian Working with Children’s Check for a paid employee (or willingness to obtain) and aVictorian Driver Licence.Current COVID-19 vaccination(Strongly Recommended).

What we can offer you

• A supportive environment that includes comprehensive induction
• The support of regular internal supervision
• Professional development and training opportunities
• Attractive salary packaging to increase your take-home pay
• 17.5% loading on annual leave
• Access to agency vehicles for all work-related travel
• Access to Employee support and wellbeing programs
• Paid parental leave after 12 months of ongoing employment
• Opportunity to work and build connection with the Aboriginal Community and culture
• Fitness Passport - allowing you (and your family) access to any of the facilities available on this program

Please note: This is an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander designated position, classified under Section 12 Special Measures of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010. This employment opportunity is only available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Application closes by 6th October 2026

We are committed to Aboriginal self-determination and supporting strong, safe, thriving Aboriginal communities and aim to ensure every individual is treated with dignity, honouring all cultural backgrounds, abilities, ethnicities, sexual orientations, gender identities and spiritual beliefs.

VACCA is a child-safe organisation and is committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children and young people with zero tolerance for child abuse. All successful applicants will be required to undertake a National Police Record Check and Working with Children Check prior to commencement of employment and periodically following commencement.

VACCA is an equal opportunity employer and has a smoke-free workplace policy